Minutes 51 of Tynron Community Council meeting 030613
Apologies: George
Minutes of meeting on 25 March approved: proposed Madge, seconded Bryan.
No police report.
Windfarms: Colin reported on the meeting held the previous week in the Hall with representatives from Scottish Power Renewables about the Wetherhill extension. Another 10-15 turbines are to be erected. Additionally, scoping on a proposed windfarm at Cormilligan (20-30 turbines ) is scheduled for June/early July. Alec registered a vested interest in the Cormilligan one as an involved landowner. Colin asked what this implied: Alec will not be able to vote on matters concerning the windfarm. There will be no benefit in terms of grid or road improvement as all the electricity generated is to be sent out via a new power substation at Glenglass power station. Alec thought the community would be pleased that no traffic will be passing through Tynron. There will be financial recompense. Yhe project is in the very early stages as yet: bird surveys are being carried out. It is to be borne in mind that E-ON are proposing more windfarms in the area (Lorg etc): Alec thought those were going to be very high turbines. More meetings will be held as more becomes known, and residents should be alert for more meetings locally.
Fun Day: a date of 18 August was decided on. Madge will book a bouncy castle.
Hogroast for the Hall: date 20 July. This will be an evening event, which is in the process of being arranged. There will be more news about it shortly.
Day of the Region: Madge and Colin and Phil went to a meeting with Gordon Neilson of Penpont. Tynron is to do something through the day of Sat 5 October. £6000 is available (for all three villages) to fund expenses. Madge suggested getting a proper barbecue for the village. Proposed activities include facepainting; cheese and wine tasting; a history talk; a ghost walk around Tynron; ceilidh dancing; Tai chi; a walk around the church (Colin will ask George); a competition of photos; and gun dog demonstrations; the next meeting will be in the Tynron Hall on 17 June 7.30pm.
Local medical practice: there has been some anxiety about a rumour that the Moniaive surgery may close as a result of the new health centre being built in Dunscore. Rona reported on a meeting to address this concern held in Moniaive. While the present GPs are in the practice, there will be a surgery in Moniaive. However, it is not suitable for some treatments, and no guarantees can be made about subsequent GPs.
Drains: Colin thinks it needs a new drain lid. Madge will email Andrew Wood for action by drain expert.
Roads: Part of the Kirkconnel road has washed away, likewise part of Dalmakerran brae. Madge to ask Andrew and about potholes and subsidence in Shinnel glen road. Mary requested that repair of Dalmakerran brae should not be merely additional grit, which clogs the drains.
Community Broadband: Sue reported that an extra £12.5k has been promised by DGC to cover the 15% of the South of Scotland that will not get broadband under public sector funding. It is hoped that 100% coverage of at least 2Mbps will be achieved across the whole of the south of Scotland. It is still necessary for people to report their experiences of broadband, preferably using the online survey or else via Sue. Hall Matters: The final payment from LEADER has come in. A reserve for contingencies is being kept. The rest will pay for opening up the cupboard on stage (perhaps for storing the bowling boards), erecting a shed in thje carpark for storage; and exterior painting. Fundraising continues as usual: teas for Spring Fling made £75. The latest quarterly electricity bill was for £200.
Secretary’s Report: A letter had been received from the WRI thanking the TCC for the gift for its 90th birthday. Penpont pre-school was requesting financial support for the annual trip: £100 agreed. Sinclair Barbour’s dance group was also requesting financial support for a trip to China @£650 per head: £100 for each for the 3 participating members of the parish was promised. Sophie will come and give a talk on it when they come back.
Treasurer’s Report: balance stands at £3660.77. Scottish Power now pays the TCC £1880pa. It was noted that the TCC had paid for th repair to the e=waterpipe for the Hall that had been carried out during the renovation; and that the TCC now paid the ICO subscription (£35pa).
Secretary’s Report: Madge is to organise £10 to the Church Hall in Penpont for a TCC meeting held there.
Treasurer’s Report. Sadly, Elaine and Gary are moving back to Moniaive, but Elaine is happy to stay on as Treasurer. The ICO payment may be outstanding and there is an administrative expenses query: Sue to check with Elaine.
AGM: it may be possible to hold this in tandem with an ordinary meeting: Sue to check.
AOCB:
Constitution: Colin is about to send the whole thing in hard copy, as required.
Windfarm meeting re Harestanes site: 4th April: Sue to go.
Community Resilience Template: Madge had received this, asking what our community strategies were in case of disasters. It appeared we had good strategies in place and were not required to complete the form.
SWT: Colin Mitchell will come, probably to a summer meeting, to speak about the organisation and its policy regarding Stenhouse Wood.
Thornhill Hospital: Rona, who arrived late, reported that a Dr Noble from Nairn had offered a model of how to update a cottage hospital similar to Thornhill’s. There is a danger that ‘locality planning’ will result in Thornhill being replaced by a rehabilitation centre in Dumf (e.g. Allanbank). Rona is planning to meet with Moniaive doctors and Moniaive CC (date to be decided at Moniaive CC’s meeting) to hear what they’re planning: GPs will have most clout to organise locality planning.. A CD is available of Dr Noble’s talk. Christopher thinks we should make a case to get the palliative care to come to Thornhill. The meeting was in favour of supporting Scott Jardine’s campaign, and perhaps we need another petition (there was very little response to the last one). We should compose a letter saying what we’d like to be provided.